190 



Distribution. As a apecies the Solitary Vireo extends over all of the United States and 

 Canada north to the extreme limits of settlements. The Blue-headed, the eastern repre- 

 sentative of the species, ranges west to central Alberta. 



SUBSPECIES. The Solitary Vireo is divided into several subspecies, only one of 

 which, the Blue-headed Vireo L. s. solitarius, the type form, occurs in eastern Canada. 



A pretty little Vireo and a common inhabitant of woodland and 

 orchard during migrations. The song is similar to that of the Red-eyed, 

 but an attentive ear can easily distinguish between them. 



631. White-eyed Vireo. Vireo griseus. L, 5'27. A small Vireo like the Warbling 

 but of much richer green colour on back and with yellow loral mark and eye-ring; iris 

 white. Throat and underparts almost pure white; strongly yellow on flanks; wings have 

 two yellowish bars. 



Distinctions. White iris, yellow eye-ring and loral mark, strong yellow on flanks, and 

 white breast and abdomen. 



Field Marks. This species is too rare in Canada and too similar to other species to 

 be recorded on eyesight observation alone. 



Nesting. Nest usually similar to that of the Red-eyed. 



Distribution. All forms of the species are southern. The eastern White-eyed occurs 

 in the eastern United States north to New York and Massachusetts and is only accidental 

 in Canada. 



SUBSPECIES. The White-eyed Vireo is represented by several subspecies, the 

 type form, the Northern White-eye V. g. griseus being the only one which occurs in Canada. 



A bird of the south noted for its remarkable voice. This species is 

 included here on the basis of a few records scattered along the southern 

 borders of Canada. 



FAMILY MNIOTILTIDjE. WOOD WARBLERS. L, 4 • 25-7 • 44. 



General Description. Small birds, only one Canadian species being over 6-28 inches 

 long and very few over 5.75. They are usually bright coloured woodland and treetop 

 birds though a few inhabit the ground and the grass. They are, as a family, difficult 

 of diagnosis and the genera can be most easily recognized by the bills (Figures 57, 58, 59, 

 p. 27) though considerable familiarity with the species is necessary to recognize the 

 generic characteristics. 



Field Marks. No reliable field marks which cover the whole family can be given. 

 However, after a little eJ^erience with them their small size, bright colours, and sprightly 

 actions are easily recognized. They are most likely to be confused with the Vireos. 



Nesting. The nesting habits of the family are various, some build in trees, from down 

 near the groxind to well up towards the tops of the taller trees, others on the ground or in 

 grass, and some in holes in dead stubs, etc. 



DistrihiUion. Most of the warblers breed in the northern spruce woods beyond the 

 limits of general settlement. A few nest in the more cultivated sections and some just 

 cross the International Boundary. All are migratory and spend the winter, according to 

 species, from northern United States south to the Amazon country of South America. 



The American Wood Warblers constitute a large family peculiar to 

 the Americas. In fact they divide the honours in point of numbers with 

 the sparrows. The Warblers are the delight of the amateur bird observer. 

 So small that few but the enthusiast ever see them, but so numerous and 

 brilliantly-coloured that their discovery opens up a new world of interest 

 to the beginner. The sexes are usually dissimilar and there is considerable 

 seasonal change in plumage. This, multiplied by the large number of 

 species makes the task of identifying all of them seem almost hopeless to 

 the beginner. It is not, however, as difficult as it seems at first. The 

 spring males are usually distinctly marked and as many of them are fur- 

 nished with descriptive names their differentiation is comparatively simple. 



